Araweelo News Network.
Somaliland, Hargeisa(ANN)-International Crisis Group, abbreviated ICG, has published a report of Somaliland elections on 31 May 2021 and paved the way for Somaliland’s progress towards democratic and electoral development in the small republic, which, if continued, would lead to the recognition it seeks from the rest of the World, ICG, stated in the report.
In a lengthy report on how Somaliland, an unrecognized republic, has embarked on the process of democratization and free elections, the ICG discusses Somaliland’s past and for future and how it can achieve its aspirations. If they to continue on that path.
The ICG said in its report that the May 31 vote had revealed the cultural potential of Somaliland’s democracy, and pointed out those new developments in the elections were due to Somaliland’s opposition winning a landslide victory in parliamentary and local elections 31 May 2021.
Despite years of delays, voting took place smoothly and was an important part of Somaliland’s democratic process. The speaker’s vote on 3 August was similarly straightforward, which the ICG described as a matter of great prestige, but noted that the absence of women in parliament and some constituencies in the East, where some did not receive representation, was a major disappointment.
The opposition’s victory was the second since Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991. The first came in 2012, when opposition candidate Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud “Silanyo” unseated incumbent Dahir Riyale Kahin to become president .According to the ICG in its report.
After the electoral commission announced the results in 2021, Kulmiye was quick to acknowledge defeat, while many international actors praised the work, signalling its commitment to the people of Somaliland Political and democratic participation. Widespread acceptance of the vote was a much-needed incentive for the Commission, which was forced to defend its neutrality in 2017 amid opposition complaints about the Presidential election.According to the ICG.
The report, also, the ICG said, Kulmiye’s poor performance surprised observers both inside and outside the party. Many perceive its disappointing showing at the polls as a popular rebuke of its most prominent member, President Muse Bihi Abdi, whose leadership some Somaliland observers have described as increasingly narrow or clan-centric. Shifting alliances within the powerful Isaaq clan, from which Bihi hails, the result of a fraying relationship between two major sub-clans, likely also influenced the outcome.
The ICG also highlighted the need for Somaliland to hold House of Elders elections and that the presidential election is held on time and opening political associations as there are many political stakeholders who want to enter the political arena.
Read the full report by ICG here:
Building on Somaliland’s Successful Elections
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By Arraale M Jama Freelance Journalist and Human Rights activist.
info@araweelonews.com
